(c.1832) Medal GW-138 White Metal The Tinsmith Medal MS(PCGS#909436)

Winter 2022 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2143

等级

AU50

价格

16,950

详细说明

Extremely Rare 1832 Tinsmith Medal Distributed at the Philadelphia Civic Procession 1832 Tinsmith Medal. Musante GW-138, Baker-161. Tin. AU-50 (PCGS). 40.2 mm. 49.0 grains. Lightly and evenly pested over much of the surface to deep gray, though the tighter recesses remain rather bright which helps to accentuate the shallowly defined design features. Struck on an extremely thin flan with partially crimped edges. This is another type that was struck during the actual Civic Procession in Philadelphia on February 22, 1832, and tossed to the crowd of spectators as with the Gold and Silver Artificers medal. This is a less substantial piece, however, and many were likely lost to oxidation or simply discarded as a cheaply made trinket after the parade. This is particularly nice and one of four plated in Neil Musante's Medallic Washington. Musante reports just five or six known, and this is one of just two we have handled across many years. Of the Tinsmith's entry into the Civic Procession, the United States Gazetteof Philadelphia printed the following report on February 24, 1832: "THE TIN PLATE WORKERS "Came on, with a broad-wheeled car drawn by six horses. The various operations of the tin plate manufacture. Medals were struck in this car, of Washington's head, surrounded by the words 'WASHINGTON, Feb 22, 1832,' and distributed amongst the people. The pedestrians in the procession wore badges of burnished tin, which had splendid appearance. The number was about 200." Additional information pertaining to this lot: 1832 Introduction 1832 marked the Centennial Anniversary of the birth of George Washington, and with his memory still very much alive more than three decades after his passing, celebrations were taken seriously. In Philadelphia, a massive Civic Procession was planned and executed. Even the newspapers in the city did not publish on February 23rd, as they were asked to not work on the day of the celebration, in honor of Washington-the day they would have otherwise prepared the 23rd's editions. The February 24, 1832, edition of Philadelphia's The United States Gazetteoffered these observations and commentaries on the events of the day, among others: "The hundredth birth day of Washington was celebrated on Wednesday throughout the United States, with pomp and circumstances suited to the character and claims of our country's father, according to the feelings and view of citizens. Those who conscientiously avoid public parades, felt undoubtedly grateful for the benefits received, no less sensible of the claims for deep and lasting respect, which the services of Washington had upon them. "Philadelphia, on the occasion, manifested unusual display to give emphatic expression to feelings of love for the character, and gratitude for the services, of Washington. "For several days previous to the twenty second, the note of preparation was heard in every part of the city. The daily papers were crowded with notices of meetings of different trades, professions, and companies, for the purpose of considering the best mode of celebrating the occasion; committees of arrangement were formed, and each vied with the rest in a laudable and friendly emulation, to testify his respect for the great character whose birth day they were about to celebrate. Meanwhile, artists and artisans of every description were busy in the preparation of various insignia for the occasion…" "…About 9 o'clock A.M. the different trades, fire companies, and military bands, were seen organizing in their respective places of rendezvous-and the busy movement of citizens with the badges of the day, and the different insignia of their craft and their official rank, was highly interesting and enlivening, while cheerful activity beamed in every face, and showed itself in the bouyancy [sic] of every step…" "…The streets through which the procession passed, were crowded with people, anxiously gazing at the most imposing spectacle that has ever been exhibited in Philadelphia." It was estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 people participated in the procession which was between four and five miles in length and lasted just several hours (accounts vary). The few medals that follow, along with the unique GW-91 offered earlier in this sale, are artifacts that relate directly to this occasion, and are among the few such medals that can be assigned a very specific time, place and purpose. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Purchased from Stephen Tanenbaum, August 2001. Click herefor certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.